Ambassador to the Republic of Korea

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Jeff Robinson as Australia’s next Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.

Australia and the Republic of Korea are comprehensive strategic partners and close friends, with a crucial relationship underpinned by shared interests, complementary economies and vibrant people-to-people links.

Our countries continue to work together to achieve our shared vision for an open, stable and prosperous region, including through our respective approaches to the Indo-Pacific and defence cooperation.

The Republic of Korea is Australia's fourth-largest trading partner and Australia’s third-largest export market. Next year marks the tenth anniversary of the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

We also cooperate in multilateral fora as active members of the G20, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Türkiye and Australia (MIKTA) grouping.

The Australian Embassy in Seoul also has responsibility for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Mr Robinson is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Assistant Secretary, AUKUS Non-Proliferation Branch.

He has previously served overseas as Consul-General in Honolulu and had postings to the Republic of Korea and Japan.

I thank outgoing Ambassador Catherine Raper for her contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in the Republic of Korea since 2021.